Archive for 2007
Why We Geezers Rule
OnPoint Polling and Research of Raleigh released some numbers that stunned me. Not polling results, but demographics. According to OnPoint, here is how the active-voting population of North Carolina breaks down by age: 18-19 1% 20-29 5% 30-39 7% 40-49 23% 50-59 22% 60-69 24% 70-79 14% 80+ 5% In other words, only 13 percent…
Read MoreThe Governor and the Lottery
Governor Mike Easley’s the leader of the Democratic Party, which has a proud heritage of empathy for the poor, downtrodden and for working people. That’s why the Governor’s new lottery proposal sounds unusual. Governor Easley wants to spend more on prizes to entice people – primarily the poor and downtrodden – into buying more lottery…
Read MorePresident Pelosi
Nancy Pelosi, who has been redefining women’s roles in politics, is now also redefining the government. Even during the darkest days of the Cold War, when Ronald Reagan and ‘Tip’ O’Neil were fighting tooth and toenail, Speaker O’Neil didn’t go traipsing off to Moscow to negotiate his own foreign policy. In those days politics ended…
Read MoreObama’s Bombshell
It’s one thing to be a political rock star. It’s another thing to turn stardom into real money. And Barack Obama did it. Obama proved he’s for real when he raised almost as much money as Hillary Clinton in the first quarter – $25 million. Obama’s showing jolted Hillary’s campaign – and John Edwards’. As…
Read MoreHistory is Not Repeating Itself Here
Republicans claim that Democrats are making the same mistake on Iraq that Newt Gingrich made when he shut down the federal government a decade ago. They say the Democrats will emerge from the congressional showdown over Iraq looking weak and untrustworthy – just like in the 70s and 80s. Not happening. The Republicans are dreaming…
Read MoreMoore in the Soup
Gary wrote on Tuesday that State Treasurer Richard Moore faced a moment of truth. His first campaign crisis. Moore failed.Last month, Forbes Magazine revealed that Treasurer Moore has been shaking down the State’s Pension Fund managers who he hires for campaign contributions. Last week, the News and Observer (4-1-07) reported Moore’s also shaking down the…
Read MorePersonal Politics
I wrote earlier about the personal dominating the political in the presidential race – witness Elizabeth Edwards’ cancer. Coincidentally, I spoke to two groups recently and got a question about that – one I get asked almost everywhere. Carter and I got it at a business group. Then I heard it from a group of…
Read MoreParents Argue: Year-Round Schools Cause Obesity
Eighteen Wake County parents, disgruntled about year-round schools, have filed affidavits criticizing the School Board. Here are examples of what they’re saying: “My son won’t be able to attend Roy Williams basketball camp.” “My two sons won’t be able to bond.” “We have to visit my mother in Pennsylvania; she has Alzheimer’s.” “Obesity is a…
Read MoreThe Un-Making of John McCain
John McCain reminds me of an old calendar that is still hanging on the wall. McCain was a phenom in 2000. Today he’s a tired old face. As his campaign falters, he begins to look more and more like a bitter, beaten man. His first-quarter fundraising was so bad his campaign didn’t even try to…
Read MoreThe Great Pawnshop Hoax
Mayor Meeker’s Sancho Panza, Councilman Thomas Crowder, sees a new threat developing to Raleigh neighborhoods: Pawnshops. Crowder announced last week that he sees a trend. Pawnshops are moving into residential neighborhoods (News and Observer; 3-31-07). That seemed to puzzle Raleigh police detective Rich Bargfrede, who was testifying before Crowder’s committee. Barfrede – who is apparently…
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